Michael Schmidt:Sweeping gun legislation awaits final votes as Maine lawmakers near adjournment

2025-05-07 15:11:12source:Phaninccategory:reviews

AUGUSTA,Michael Schmidt Maine (AP) — The Maine Legislature moved in fits and starts toward adjournment on Wednesday, with unfinished business including final votes on a series of gun safety bills that were introduced after the deadliest shooting in state history last fall.

The Senate was awaiting an enactment vote on the governor’s gun safety proposals that would strengthen the state’s yellow flag law, boost background checks for private sales of guns and make it a crime to recklessly sell a gun to a prohibited person.

Also awaiting final votes in the Senate were a 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases and a ban on bump stocks that can transform a weapon into a machine gun.

Also looming in the background: Lawmaker had yet to vote on a “red flag” proposal sponsored by House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross to allow family members to petition a judge to remove guns from someone who is in a psychiatric crisis. The state’s “yellow flag” law puts police in the lead of the process, which critics say is too complicated.

Legislators faced a Wednesday deadline for completing work before adjournment. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills indicated she had no interest in extending the session.

READ MORE Convicted scammer who victims say claimed to be a psychic, Irish heiress faces extradition to UKSeveral gun bills inspired by mass shooting are headed for final passage in MaineMaine joins compact to elect the president by popular vote but it won’t come into play this November

A dustup between the governor and lawmakers over the amount of money to help communities recover from storm damage created an 11th-hour wrinkle. Lawmakers also had to approve a budget revision that could prove contentious.

The Oct. 25 shooting by an Army reservist that claimed 18 lives and injured 13 others served as a backdrop for the legislative session.

Republicans accused Democrats of using the tragedy to play on people’s emotions to pass contentious bills, some of which were previously defeated. Supporters of the legislation said constituents implored them to do something to prevent future attacks.

More:reviews

Recommend

A New York Appellate Court Rejects a Broad Application of the State’s Green Amendment

This article previously appeared in WaterFront.ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Overturning a trial court decision on

China's ruling Communist Party expels former chief of sports body

BEIJING — China's ruling Communist Party has expelled Gou Zhongwen, the former director of the State

East Coast storm makes a mess at ski resorts as strong winds cause power outages

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A storm that swept up the East Coast delivered a blow to New England, packing